Metal packing-case.



PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

4 A. R. SPEBR.

METAL PACKING CASE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6. 1905.

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PATENTED MAY 29, 1906.

A. R. SPEER.

METAL PACKING CASE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.6.1905.

I 4 M1 2 z 4 9 2 N/ I 2 P 4 w Eb a M ilmsses 6. Q). @cmwu UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIOE.

METAL PACKING-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

Application filed February 6, 1905- Serial No. 244,492-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR R. SPEER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Packing- Cases, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, forming part of the specification, in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved metallic packing-case. Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail sectional views showing the manner of attaching the partitions to the walls of the case. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line V V of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross vertical section on the line VI VI of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a similar partial sectional view showing a modified construction. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional detail views showing further modifications and illustrating the manner of nesting the .cases one upon another. Fig. 10is a sectional detail view showing a case composed of corrugated sections. Fig. 11 is a similar view showing a modified form of joint.

My invention refers to improvements in sheet-metal packing or shipping boxes or cases for any suitable merchandise or material, the present construction being particularly designed for the storage and shipment of bottles.

The invention has in view to rovide a metallic case having great strengt without unnecessary weight, so as to economize material and secure the greatest efliciency, and also to provide a case which is compact in construction and so arranged that a number of such cases may be mounted one upon another in such a manner as to provent slippage or disturbance, and to provide a construction well adapted to avoid danger of bending, breaking, ,or interference, and to guard against the various injuries to which such vessels are subject in handling and shiping. P Referring now to the drawings, the sides and ends of the case are made of a plurality of continuous sheets 2 of metal bent around into rectangular form, the meeting ends of which overlap at the side or end and are riveted or otherwise secured together, the corners being rounded, as indicated at 3. The sections 2, forming the sides and ends, are

provide outwardly-projecting continuous strengthening-ribs formed by doubling the metal along one edge of the section, as indicated at 4, to embrace a corresponding flange 5 of the next adjacent section, which flange interfits between the doubled sides 4, thus providing an interlocking joint of great strength and producing the outwardly-projecting rib referred to. The body portion of the case is thus built up of a series of such connected sections, which may be of any number desired, according to the size and capacity of the case and the distance apart of the ribs.

When desired, partitions 6 of any suitable construction are incorporated with the case in the process of its manufacture, such partitions being of any convenient form, as strips of metal, wire, &c. The terminals of the partitions are inserted between the meeting flanges of adjacent sections, as shown, and secured between them by doubling the embracing flanges 4 around flanges 5, as shown in Fig. 3, or the flanges 4 may be merely doubled around flanges 5 without bending the partition-terminal, but tightly clamping it in position, as in Fig. 4. The present lnvention does not refer particularly to the racks or partitions and is not limited to a case necessarily provided with these parts, it being obvious that they may be entirely dis ensed with, if

desired, so as to leave a non-o structed interior cavity for use in packing or shipping various articles of merchandise, as crackers, &c., or loose material in bulk.

The case is provided with a bottom 9 of sheet metal, connected with the lower edges of the sides and ends in the same manner as in the construction of the joints above described, the bottom being made in pan form and provided with a similar outwardly-extendlng flange 5, interfitting between and embraced by the doubled flange 4, forming the rib, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, or the bottom may be attached in any other suitable manner. The bottom may also be made in the form indicated in Fig. 7, wherein a downward-extending surrounding edge 10 is formed by doubling the metal u on itself, the bottom extending across somew at upwardly above said bottom edge, thus providing for the nesting of one case on the top of the other, as will be readily understood and as in dicated in said figure.

The upper section forming the top edge of connected together in such a manner as to the case is connected with the next lower adjacent section 2 in the same manner de scribed as to the connection of the main sec tions, except that the upper edge of the top main section is turned inwardly, as indicated at 5, while the lower portion of the top section 2 is also extended inwardly and then outwardly, tightly embracing the flange 5 and providing an inwardly extending strengthening-rib, providing a lid-supporting flange 1, while the upper terminal edge of the section 2 is turned around into bead form, providing an upper strengthening edge 11, having a reinforcingwire, if desired, or, if preferred, the sheet metal may be merely doubled upon itself to form a corresponding stiffening edge. in Fig. 7 the metal forming the top edge may be located inwardly, as shown at 11, thus providing an outer clearance-space for the reception of the downwardly-extending bottom edge of a superimposed case when setupon it. By this construction it will be seen that the cases may be neatly nested together, and any tendency to slide or displacement will be effectually prevented. The top or 7 cover of the case is preferably made of two separately-hinged sections 12 12, made of sheet metal and provided with a series of doubled strengthening-ribs 13 extending transversely of the tops, which are also provided with rounded corners and fit neatly within the edge, extending upwardly above the inner flange 4. These top sections 12 are provided with hinged strap extensions 14, which are arranged alternately and which surround a hinge pin or rod 15,-extending across the top from one side to the other and upon which the sides may freely turn. The rod 15 is mounted at each end in a ferrule 16, made of sheet metal, the terminals 17 of which fit inwardly in a vertical slot cut in rib 4, the terminals 17 being bent outwardly underneath said rib, so as to thus secure the ferrule in position. This manner of mounting the hinge-rod is very simple, cheap, and effective, and the rod is thus located rigidly beneath the level of the surrounding upper edge and against the upper edges, thus bracing them.

The ribs 13 of the covers are so located with relation to each other that when either of the covers is laid over upon the other the ribs will not interfere, butiwill permit the cover to be laid down flat below or on a level with the said upper edge, thereby providing a smooth surface without any upwardly-projecting parts.

At each end of the case in its upper middle portion are located the spring-latches 18, having an upper sloping face 19 and a lockingabutment 20, adapted to pass through an opening 21 in the end of the cover and to spring back to locking position, as shown in Fig. 5. The latch is provided with an inte-v gral laterally-extended spring portion 22,

In the construction shownriveted to the inner side of the case, as shown in Fig. 6, the upwardly-extending latch extremity being also provided with an offset portion 23, arranged to engage underneath the upper flange 4, thereby giving a firm solid bearing independent of its attachment to the case. By this arrangement the lock is very solid and compact, capable of auto matic operation upon closing the lid, while a sealing-tie of any kind may be inserted through the opening 21 and one of the handhole openings 24, located at each upper end of the case. These hand-hole openings are finished around the edges by doubling the metal upon itself, as shown, and provide a convenient means for lifting the case.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a modified construction wherein the upper section 25 is inclined inwardly at any desired angle and joined with the upper terminal section 26,

these parts being connected in the manner already described, and the upper terminal edge 27 extends outwardly or inwardly, as preferred. In Fig. 9 the upper panel 25 is curved or bowed inwardly, as shown, and connected with the upper terminal edge construction in the same manner. An especial advantage of both of these constructions is that they greatly strengthen and reinforce the sides and ends, giving great stiffness and preventing buckling, while at the same time providing sufficient space for the nesting of the cases by the assemblage of the top of one with the bottom of another. In Fig. 10 I have shown a construction wherein the sections forming the sides and ends are corrugated, as shown at 28, thereby further strengthening and stiffening these parts and adding to the stability of the entire structure. When thus braced and reinforced in this manner and, as already described, it will be seen that a very strong and light case may be provided by using a sheet metal of comparatively small gage, thereby reducing cost and weight. If desired, the outwardly-extending ribs may be modified or eliminated by the construction shown in Fig. 11, wherein the meeting edges of the sections are clenched together, providing a ribbed joint having great strengthening qualities.

It will be understood that the case may be made in various sizes or dimensions, and I do not desire to be limited to the specific design and construction shown, as various changes may be made by the skilled mechanic in the design or details of construction, &c., and all such changes are to be considered as within the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is 1. In a shipping-case, the combination of a plurality of surrounding sections of sheet metal bent into rectangular form with round ed ends, said sections being joined together by the metal at the edge'of one section embracing a terminal flange of the next adjacent section so as to provide outwardly-extending strengthening-ribs, with a separate similarly-attached bottom portion, and an upper inwardly-extending lid-supporting flange, substantially as set forth.

2. In a shipping-case, the combination of a plurality of surrounding sections of sheet metal bent into rectangular form with rounded ends, said sections being joined together by the metal at the edge of one section embracing a terminal flange of the next adjacent section so as to provide outwardly-extending strengthening-ribs, with a separate similarly-attached bottom portion and an upper top-receiving extension similarly secured to the lower adjacent section by inwardly-extending connected flanges providing a lidsupporting ledge, substantially as set forth.

3. A shipping-case of sheet metal having a downwardly-extending surrounding bottom flange, a top portion deflected inwardly beyond the inner walls of said bottom flange and ada ted to fit within said bottom flange of an a jacent case, with an inwardly-projecting strengthening and lid supporting flange, substantially as set forth.

4. In a shipping-case, the combination of'a plurality of superimposed sections having flat vsides and ends and rounded corners, said sections being oined together by doubling the edges u on each other to form surrounding ribs, a ottom secured to the lower section, an upper portion similarly secured to the upper section and forming an inwardly-extendlng flange, and a cover adapted to rest upon said flange, substantially as set forth.

5. In a shipping-case, the combination of a plurality of superimposed sections having flat sides and ends and rounded corners, said sections being joined together by doubling the edges upon each other. to form surrounding ribs, a bottom secured to the lower section and having downwardly-extending supporting-flanges, and an upper portion located inwardly within the plane of the inner faces of said bottom flanges, substantially as set forth.

6. In ashipping-case, the combination of a plurality of superimposed sections having flat sides and ends and rounded corners, said sec tions being joined together by doubling the edges upon each other to form surrounding ribs, a bottom secured to the lower section and having downwardly-extending supporting-flanges, and an upper portion located inwardly within the plane of the inner faces of said bottom flanges, said upper portion being connected to the upper section by doubling the meeting edges to form an inwardly-extending lid-supporting flange, substantially as set forth.

7. In a shipping-case, the combination of a plurality of surrounding sections joined together by folding the edge of one section around the edge of the next adjacent section, a bottom connected with the lower sectionin a similar manner, and a top portion connected with the upper section so as to provide an inwardlyextending lid supporting flange, substantially as set forth.

' 8. A shipping-case having sides and ends composed of a plurality of connected sections with intervening joints providin outwardlyextending encircling ribs, and a ottom connected with the lower section and provided 'with a downwardly-extending supportingflange, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR R. SPEER.

Witnesses JAs. J. MOAFEE, J. J. SPEER. 

